Penn State Week 1 Takeaways: Big Plays Mask Inconsistency

On a big night at Beaver Stadium, the Lions were uneven but definitely entertaining.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Penn State quarterback Drew Allar didn't throw an interception Saturday night against West Virginia, but the coaches will grade him for one. Late in the first half, Allar threw an end-zone route to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, which didn't reach its high-and-outside target. Lambert-Smith got an unofficial pass breakup on the play, for which Allar was thankful.

"He definitely saved me," Allar said after the Lions' 38-15 victory Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

Even as he delivered one of Penn State's great quarterback debuts, Allar still kept a checklist of the plays he wanted back. Head coach James Franklin did, too.The head coach said his team demonstrated inconsistency in all three phases (notably special teams). "A lot to build on, a lot to correct," he said 45 minutes after the game. We kept a checklist of moments as well. Here's the view from upstairs and the sideline at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

Drew Allar showcases his high ceiling

The sophomore's numbers were exceptional: 21-for-29, 325 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions. The last first-time starter to throw for more than 320 in his debut was Michael Robinson (379 vs. Wisconsin) in 2003. And Penn State lost that game. Allar's first touchdown pass served as the trailer for what could be an amazing career. He stepped into an open pocket, kept his eyes downfield and found KeAndre Lambert-Smith 40 yards away. Lambert-Smith did the rest, turning the play into a 72-yard touchdown.

What made the play so impressive was the eye contact and connection between Allar and Lambert-Smith. The two sharpened a strong relationship over the summer that paid quick dividends and could be one of the most exciting to watch this season.

"They know my mentality," Allar said. "When I escape the pocket, I’m looking to throw downfield, because that’s when the bigger plays happen."

Watching Allar activate that approach and physical ability, particularly on the first series of the season, merely heightened expectations for him this season.

"He did exactly what we all thought he was going to do," offensive lineman Sal Wormley said. "We see him in practice. We just had a month of camp with him, and the guy didn't throw a [pick] until three weeks into camp. We all know what Drew can do."

Added West Virginia coach Neal Brown, "We were going to make him play well, and he played well and he beat us."

And yet, Franklin wanted Allar to know that he graded the miss to Lambert-Smith as an "interception decision or interception throw." Allar did the same, noting that the ball has to go "top shelf."

"To me, you've got to make that throw in the red zone," Franklin said. "You want to put it up high where our guys are going to catch it in the back of the end zone or nobody does. But besides that, I thought he did a really good job of managing the game from a decision-making standpoint."

Penn State's KeAndre Lambert-Smith played to his nickname 'Big-play Dre' on Saturday, catching 4 passes for 123 yards and 2 TDs vs. West Virginia. He also made one of the game's biggest PBUs.

'Dre saved me,' QB Drew Allar said of this play.

📸Dan Rainville pic.twitter.com/mkoqyNOhHb

— Mark Wogenrich (@MarkWogenrich) September 3, 2023

Defense has work to do

Franklin called West Virginia's Garrett Greene a slippery quarterback who's going to "cause problems for people this year." Greene rushed for 71 yards and, had he thrown the ball more effectively (16-for-27), the Mountaineers might have punched back on a few occasions. Still, West Virginia's early run-game success, and its ability to exploit some vacant gaps, left the Lions wondering.

Sure, the first-team defense allowed just seven points, and West Virginia averaged 3.7 yards rushing per carry. But Greene and running back CJ Donaldson (81 yards) ran behind a forceful line that gave the Lions' defensive front some fits. End Chop Robinson, for one, said, "I didn't live up to my standard" after recording two tackles, one for loss.

"I have a lot to learn from after this game and I’m going to build on it to be better later in the season," Robinson said.

West Virginia went 7-for-7 converting short-yardage (2 or less) first downs, and Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter made just one tackle, a late sack. Granted, it's difficult for a defense that can't tackle quarterbacks during training to face a mobile quarterback in its opener. So asked what the defense needs to improve upon, linebacker Kobe King wasn't shy.

"Everything," he said. "Everything, I would say."

Letting them play

The officials refrained from throwing flags, calling just four penalties in the game. Only one, a false start on fourth down, went against Penn State. Meanwhile, two of West Virginia's calls were for holding, which prompted Brown to wonder aloud.

"Either they blocked the cleanest of anybody in college football or there were some missed calls," Brown said. "One false start, zero holding penalties."

Tom Bradley's return

Former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley returned to Beaver Stadium for his first game in 12 years. The Lions welcomed back Bradley as an honorary captain against West Virginia, and the crowd greeted him warmly during a first-quarter introduction.

Here's 20 seconds 12 years in the making .. @TomScrapBradley back at Beaver Stadium! Huge ovation and welcome home for Scrap! @NittanyGameWeek @FOX43Sports #PennStateFootball pic.twitter.com/ZFVs9TEfrv

— Todd Sadowski (@ToddFox43) September 3, 2023

Bradley was among about 200 former lettermen who attended the game, a list that included Saquon Barkley, Micah Parsons, Jahan Dotson, Allen Robinson, Joey Porter Jr., LaVar Arrington, Brandon Short and so many more. But Bradley's appearance resonated as a bridge between Penn State communities focused on past or present. Bradley, who coached with West Virginia, UCLA and the Pittsburgh Steelers after his Penn State career ended, should play a larger ambassadorship role in the program, if he chooses.  

Notes and observations

Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen seemingly finished the game fresh after carrying 13 and 10 times, respectively. But Brown thought the two took a pounding from his defense. "Thirteen and 10 are going to be sore tomorrow," Brown said.

Penn State chose to max protect Allar with the tight ends, and West Virginia allowed the receivers room underneath, which translated to few targets for the tight ends. Theo Johnson didn't have a catch and was targeted once, while Tyler Warren made one catch. That number will change.

Twin brothers Kalen and Kobe King started their first game together since arriving in Penn State's 2021 recruiting class. Kobe King took over as the starting middle linebacker this season.

Defensive tackle Coziah Izzard was among the players listed as "out" on the pregame availability report. Izzard had been injured during training camp, but "miraculously he came back last week," Franklin said a few days before the game. Penn State did not disclose whether Izzard was out because of injury or for another reason. The Lions are going to need his size (6-3, 295) inside.

The Lions totaled 400 yards of offense for the seventh consecutive game.

Penn State has won 20 of its last 22 home-openers, and Franklin improved to 8-2 in season-openers.

Six true freshmen played, all defensive recruits: linebacker Tony Rojas and Ta'Mere Robinson, cornerbacks Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington II, end Jameial Lyons and safety King Mack.

More on Penn State

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Penn State 38, West Virginia 15: Rapid reaction from Beaver Stadium

The Penn State-West Virginia report card

James Franklin winds up bettors with late touchdown against West Virginia

'That's just the beginning,' Penn State receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith says

Tom Bradley returns to Penn State for ceremonial coin toss

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.